Method for manufacturing a sensor bearing unit

Abstract

The method provides for the manufacturing a sensor bearing unit including a bearing having a first ring and a second ring capable of rotating concentrically relative to one another, and an impulse ring provided with a target holder secured to the first ring and with a magnetic target mounted on the target holder. The method further includes securing the target holder to the first ring and magnetizing the magnetic material of the magnetic target after the step of securing the target holder to the first ring.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for manufacturing a sensor bearing unit comprising:
 providing components of a bearing comprising a first ring and a second ring capable of rotating concentrically relative to one another, and an impulse ring comprising a target holder for mounting on the first ring and a magnetic target made of a magnetic material, 
 wherein the method comprises the following steps, performed in order: 
 a) securing the target holder to the first ring, 
 b) turning the target holder in a circumferential direction to a specific angular position, 
 c) mounting the magnetic target onto the target holder, 
 d) magnetizing the magnetic material of the magnetic target after the step of mounting the magnetic target onto the target holder, and 
 e) assembling the bearing by securing the first ring to the second ring. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein at step b) the magnetic material of the magnetic target is magnetized in order to create North and South alternating poles, wherein the magnetic target is a single piece that is not formed of multiple components. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein at step a) the target holder is secured inside a groove made in a cylindrical surface of the first ring such that the target holder is in direct contact with the first ring. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein at step a) the target holder is secured inside the groove which is formed in a bore of the first ring. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3 , further comprising, before step a), the step of machining the groove in a cylindrical surface of the first ring, wherein the magnetic target is annular shaped without any notches cut therein. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein at step a) the target holder is secured inside a groove which is formed in an outer cylindrical surface of the first ring, the magnetic target being a single piece member that is not a collection of multiple targets which are assembled together. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic target is a one piece solid member which is not cut into multiple parts. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic target is annular shaped without any notches cut therein. 
     
     
       9. A method for manufacturing a sensor ring for a sensor bearing unit, the sensor ring being configured for assembly with a fixed outer ring to form the sensor bearing unit, the method comprising:
 providing the sensor ring comprising a ring and an impulse ring, the impulse ring comprising a target holder and a magnetic target, the target holder being configured to be mounted on the ring and hold the magnetic target, the magnetic target being made of a magnetic material, 
 wherein the method comprises the following steps: 
 a) securing the target holder to the ring, 
 b) turning the target holder in a circumferential direction to a specific angular position, 
 c) mounting the magnetic target onto the target holder, and 
 d) magnetizing the magnetic material of the magnetic target after the step of mounting the magnetic target onto the target holder. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein at step b) the magnetic material of the magnetic target is magnetized in order to create North and South alternating poles. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , wherein at step a) the target holder is secured inside a groove made in a cylindrical surface of the ring. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein at step a) the target holder is secured inside the groove which is formed in a bore of the ring. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising, before step a), the step of machining the groove in a cylindrical surface of the first ring. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 9 , wherein at step a) the target holder is secured inside a groove which is formed in an outer cylindrical surface of the ring. 
     
     
       15. A method for manufacturing a sensor bearing unit comprising:
 providing components of a bearing comprising a first ring and a second ring capable of rotating concentrically relative to one another, and an impulse ring comprising a target holder for mounting on the first ring and a magnetic target made of a magnetic material, 
 wherein the method comprises the following steps, performed in order: 
 a) securing the target holder within a groove formed in a cylindrical surface of the first ring, 
 b) magnetizing the magnetic material of the magnetic target after the step of securing the target holder to the first ring, and 
 c) assembling the bearing by securing the first ring to the second ring. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein after step a), the step of turning the target holder in a circumferential direction to a specific angular position. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein before step b), the step of mounting the magnetic target onto the target holder. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , wherein at step a) the cylindrical surface of the first ring forms a bore.